Call for Proposals from Individual Consultants – Education (Amman, Jordan) contract

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Amman

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 24-04-2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

1    BACKGROUND, OBJECTIVES AND JUSTIFICATION

In view of current spatial and demographic growth, the MoE aims to rationalize the public education school system in the Kingdom of Jordan through the development of a 10-year school rationalization plan. With UNESCO technical assistance, plans to conduct an in-depth analysis on supply and demand, including, but not limited to, demographic changes and population growth, school capacity, school conditions, overcrowded schools, redundant grades, underutilized schools, double-shift schools, rented school, KG and Vocational Education (BTEC), to develop a 10-year school rationalization plan with specific recommendations by area and priority level.

The 10-year school rationalization plan will be developed by the MoE using existing planning tools, particularly WebGIS. UNESCO is currently providing technical support to the core strategic planning and policy making functions of Jordan’s MoE. This includes strengthening the MoE’s capacity for data collection, utilization, and analysis through the enhancement of the MoE’s Education Management Information System (EMIS), and its Geographic Information Systems (WebGIS) resource platform.

The objective of the 10-year rationalization plan is to undertake a deep analysis of the current school system situation and recommendations to improve the resilience of the education system, enhance and provide a high standard educational environment, advocate for new vocational schools across the Kingdom, and expand the opportunities for a variant educational system that accommodate all talents. The plan will focus on repurposing and rationalization the Jordanian Public Schools system, providing complete effective, and efficient solutions inducing a comprehensive and enhanced learning environment for the Kingdom students and equipping the decision makers with sufficient and informative data necessary for making informed judgments concerning.

As a first step, a baseline analysis has been conducted by the Ministry of Education with UNESCO’s technical support. The baseline analysis covers the following school rationalization targets: 

1.    Eliminating/Reducing Overcrowding in Schools 
2.    Providing Education Access to Unserved Areas 
3.    Eliminating Under-Utilization from Schools 
4.    Reducing Low Enrolment in Schools 
5.    Reducing Double Shifting in Schools
6.    Ensuring an Inclusive school Environment 
7.    Ensuring Full Capacity Availability and Access for KG2 
8.    Eliminating/ Reducing Rental Schools
9.    Providing Adequate Facilities for all Schools 
10.    Providing Adequate Vocational Education Infrastructure to meet Economic Goals 

Training has also been conducted at the Field Directorate level, enabiling the MoE staff at decentralized level to begin making recommendations on school rationalization at the field directorate level. 

As a next step, UNESCO is seeking to hire an expert to support the development and finalization of the 10-year school rationalization plan based on the baseline analysis and field directorate inputs. 

2.    DUTIES/TASKS AND EXPECTED OUTPUT:

It is within the above-mentioned context, that UNESCO is seeking to hire a School Mapping Expert to perform the following tasks: 

1.    Understanding and Executing the School Rationalization Exercise

Objective: To build a comprehensive understanding of the rationalization process and successfully apply WebGIS tools for the exercise at Central and Field Directorate level.

Steps:

a. Conduct a Desk Review and Analysis:
•    Review the objective and rationale for the school rationalization exercise for  the Kingdom of Jordan to understand the pre-defined national context, goals, and expected outcomes.
•    Study the existing baseline data related to school rationalization (e.g., enrollment, infrastructure, geographic distribution).
•    Examine and understand the existing WebGIS tool, its functionalities, and its application in the rationalization process to ensure effective use in field-based tasks.
•    Review available input and feedback from the Field Directorates to understand the regional context, challenges, and specific requirements.

b. Define Rationalization Targets:

•    Analyze the results from the desk review and data available, and support the setting clear, measurable, and actionable rationalization targets for each Field Directorate.
•    Facilitate a workshop with the Ministry of Education (MoE) School Mapping Unit to collaboratively develop quantitative targets in collaboration with other involved departments for monitoring progress in the rationalization process.
 

2.    Supporting the MoE School Mapping Unit to Prepare the 10-Year School Rationalization Plan

Objective: To support the MoE School Mapping Unit in the preparation of a comprehensive, strategic 10-Year Schools Rationalization Plan.

Steps:

a. Develop Methodology and Framework for Rationalization Plan:
•    In close collaboration with the MoE School Mapping Unit, prepare an outline for the 10-Year Schools Rationalization Plan, including a detailed methodology that defines the approach, data sources, and analytical techniques to be used to put together the plan.
•    Ensure the methodology incorporates findings from the baseline analysis, integrating both qualitative and quantitative data to inform the plan.

b. Gather Input for the Rationalization Plan:
•    Collect relevant inputs and feedback from central MoE departments, local Field Directorates, and other stakeholders through desk reviews, consultations, and field visits.
•    Engage with local education authorities, communities, and school management to gain insights into local challenges, needs, and priorities regarding school rationalization, encouraging an inclusive approach to the decision-making process. 

c. Consolidate Inputs and develop Draft 10-Year School Rationalization Plan:

•    Consolidate the gathered inputs into a structured 10-Year School Rationalization Plan, providing clear recommendations on rationalization strategies, such as: 
o    School closures or consolidations.
o    Upgrading schools to meet evolving educational standards.
o    Development of new transportation networks to ensure access for students.
o    Recommendations for redeploying resources across the system, including space utilization, and facility upgrades.

•    Ensure the plan accounts for the educational, demographic, geographic, and infrastructure context of each region.

d. Assess Budget Implications and Financial Feasibility:

•    Work with the MoE Financial Planning Unit to assess the financial implications of the rationalization recommendations, considering local and international best practices and provide a financial forecast for implementing the plan.

e.  Include a Monitoring Framework in the 10-Year School Rationalization Plan:

•    Ensure the inclusion of a monitoring and evaluation framework in the 10-Year School Rationalization Plan. Framework should establish regular checkpoints and reporting mechanisms (including key performance indicators) to track progress, evaluate impact, identify challenges, and adjust strategies as necessary.

3.    Finalizing the 10-Year School Rationalization Plan

Objective: To refine the 10-Year School Rationalization Plan based on feedback from key stakeholders and finalize it for approval and implementation.

Steps:

a.    Facilitate Stakeholder Workshop for Feedback:

•    Organize and facilitate a workshop with MoE representatives, education sector stakeholders, and relevant national entities (e.g., Ministry of Finance, local governments, community representatives) to present the draft 10-Year School Rationalization Plan.
•    Gather inputs, feedback, and suggestions to improve the rationalization strategies, ensuring the plan is aligned with national priorities and local realities.

b.    Revise and finalize the 10-Year Rationalization Plan:

•    Incorporate the feedback from the stakeholder workshop to refine the draft plan.
•    Finalize the 10-Year Schools Rationalization Plan, ensuring it is comprehensive, actionable, and includes clear objectives and goals, key strategies, timelines with specific milestones, long term and short-term objectives, financial plan and/or budget requirements, responsible parties, M&E plan (with indicators for monitoring progress).
•    Submit the finalized plan to the MoE for approval and implementation.
 

 4. TIMETABLE AND DELIVERABLES

Education 

•    An Advanced University Degree (master’s or equivalent*) in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geography, education policy and planning, public administration, urban planning, or a related field 

*A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience 
•    Minimum 10 years of professional experience in large-scale educational reform, and/or school infrastructure planning.

Languages
•    Proficiency in English and  Arabic language (spoken and written) is mandatory for effective communication with stakeholders in Jordan.

Competencies and Skills 

•    Strong analytical, adaptability, and problem-solving skills for baseline analysis, target setting, and monitoring progress in school rationalization exercises.
•    Excellent communication and presentation skills for reporting writing, facilitating workshops, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
•    Experience coordinating and facilitating workshops and engaging with stakeholders from government agencies (at different administrative levels), education sectors, and/or national entities.
•    Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) for data analysis, reporting, and presentation purposes.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

  
•    Proficiency in GIS software such as ArcGIS, QGIS, or similar tools for spatial data analysis, mapping, and visualization.
•    Experience in GIS mapping, spatial analysis (including buffer analysis, spatial joins and network analysis), and data visualization, preferably in educational or infrastructure planning contexts
•    Track record of training and supporting teams in using GIS tools and methodologies for planning and decision-making processes.
•    Knowledge of school infrastructure and education sector dynamics, with previous experience working on similar projects such as school mapping, facility mapping, and/or school rationalization, in Jordan or similar contexts.
•    Experience in preparing and presenting comprehensive reports and plans related to GIS mapping and school rationalization initiatives.